Prime Minister chairs Cabinet meeting

Islamabad, August 24, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Federal Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s Office, today. The meeting focused on the National Action Plan. The Cabinet offered Fateha for the departed souls of all the victims of the Attock suicide attack and paid tribute to Shaheed Col. (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada for the sacrifice he rendered for the whole nation. The Prime Minister acknowledged the contribution of Shaheed Shuja Khanzada in golden words as member of the Provincial Assembly as well as Home Minister Punjab for fighting militancy and extremism.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz briefed the cabinet on the deadlock in recent dialogue with India. On this occasion the Prime Minister said that any dialogue sans Kashmir Issue will be futile. He said that Kashmiri leaders are not the third party but an important party to this issue. Any decision on their future cannot be made without their opinion and consultation.

The Prime Minister, after the detailed presentation on the status of the National Action Plan, said that the government is committed to implement NAP in its essence as benefits of its success will reach to each and every corner of the country. He emphasized that those who are involved in sectarianism will be dealt with iron hands and all those who disseminate hatred, incite militancy and encourage terrorism will not be spared at any cost. He added that the terrorists who play with the lives of the people and humanity are committing unforgivable crime and they will not be spared.

The Prime Minister noted that the operation against the criminal elements in Karachi was launched with the consensus of all the stakeholders and the results of the operation are visible. He said that the citizens of Karachi want peace and the government will not allow political expediency to come in the way of restoring peace and revive traditional tranquillity of the city of the Quaid.

He added that we cannot even think of taking any step back as far as Karachi operation is concerned and those who have come in the Parliament with the people’s mandate should place their grievances and raise their issues on the floor. He assured that the government will continue its efforts to provide peace and security to the people of the metropolis.

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Interior to prepare a strategy to de-weaponize the whole society as any democratic government cannot allow armed groups to operate with impunity. He informed the cabinet that operation Zarb-e-Azb is achieving its objectives with success and for this credit goes to our armed forces and civilian institutions.

He added that even the international community has appreciated the successes achieved in the Zarb-e-Azb operation. In this regard the Prime Minister lauded the efforts and determination of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. The Prime Minister also commended the efforts of Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman for leading the operation from the front.

The Prime Minister said that the situation in Balochistan is improving day by day and InshaAllah this process will continue till the time that there is a dawn of peace and prosperity from FATA to Balochistan and the city of Quaid. He declared that the future is going to be better than the past.

The Prime Minister also constituted a five member Cabinet Committee to oversee implementation of Supreme Court’s directions regarding use of Urdu language for official business in government and semi government departments. The Minister for IB and NH Senator Pervaiz Rashid will be the chairman of the Committee.

Other members of the Committee include Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf; Minister for Housing Mr. Akram Durrani; Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Affairs Mr. Irfan Siddiqui and Special Assistant for Cabinet Affairs Barrister Zafarullah. The Committee will propose concrete steps besides taking necessary measures for promotion of Urdu in the official communication.

Earlier Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali briefed the Cabinet on the progress achieved so far on the NAP. He informed that the government is making progress in the key elements of the Plan and due to the sacrifices of the armed forces and the LEAs the situation has improved a lot.

He assured the Cabinet members that no criminal element or terrorist will be spared in implementation of the NAP. The Interior Minister said that the overall security situation in the country has improved considerably and we will not allow anyone to derail operation against the criminals. The Prime Minister appreciated efforts of Interior Minister and hope that this mission would continue.

The Cabinet considered and approved various agenda items placed before it which included MoUs with foreign countries in the field of Aviation, Climate Change, Commerce, Defence, Economic Affairs, Education, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, Water and Power, Board of Investment, Ports and Shipping and Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage etc.